In the following Broncos offensive series, receiver Emmanuel Sanders had his fourth 40-plus yard catch of the season. With a rushing touchdown by running back Phillip Lindsay, the Broncos took the initial lead of the game.

The Broncos offense got off to an inauspicious start in the first series in the second quarter. Going with three wide receivers, Sanders tripped over Lindsay. Then offensive tackle Connor McGovern was called for holding.

Case Keenum has now fumbled five times this year but the Broncos have recovered all 5. #9sports

Kicker Brandon McManus missed his first field attempt of the season with a 55-yard attempt. The Chief used the resulting short field position to complete a four-play, 55-yard touchdown drive, to gain the lead 10-7 with 9:31 left in the half.

Critical Twitter comments popped up about the repetitive, unproductive three-wide-receiver offensive formations by the Broncos.

RT @Jeff_Legwold: Yes, a theme — four snaps in three-wide on that possession for Broncos. Two pass attempts in those four snaps. Two sacks and a fumble (Broncos recover). They love three-wide more than good momentum. pic.twitter.com/RpEvCK9fa8

#Broncos Tim Patrick wide open for TD… Keenum with nice pass. Needed that same throw in first game to DT.. Nonethelsess, Huge play. One of the #Broncos most impressive drives in years, post Manning. #Denver7#DENvsKC

In 49 seconds Keenum led the Broncos 75 yards down field, capped with a 24-yard touchdown pass to open receiver Tim Patrick.

In each of the Broncos’ TD drives, Keenum had a 40-plus-yard completion to a WR on the sideline. Hit Emmanuel Sanders for a 49-yard gain en route to Phillip Lindsay’s rushing TD in the first, then hit Courtland Sutton for a 42-yard gain before finding Tim Patrick in the end zone.

#Broncos trail 16-14 at half. For a team that wants to be viewed differently, that was a huge drive to end half. And now this. #KCChiefs lead NFL on scoring in first possession of second half. Need to get another stop. #Denver7

Offensive line holding penalties continued to undermine the Broncos. A holding call against tackle Max Garcia negated a long Lindsay run. Then Connor McGovern was called for an illegal block to the back. Three 20-plus yard Broncos plays were nullified by penalties.

The series ended with a sack of Keenum. In the game, the Chiefs sacked Keenum five times for a loss of 40 yards.

On fourth-and-1, Hunt caught a shovel pass and hurdled over Park for a 23-yard touchdown.

Mahomes again accomplished four passing touchdowns, now in three-straight games. This was the first time by an NFL quarterback since Peyton Manning in 2004.

At 12:22 in the fourth quarter, Keenum was strip-sacked by linebacker Dee Ford at the Chiefs 46 for a seven-yard loss. By the time of strip-sack, the Broncos had 10 penalties for 83 yards. It would have been 11 but the Chiefs declined offensive tackle Garret Bolles holding penalty.

Broncos LT Bolles going to get his qb hurt. He gets a holding call and pre snap penalty damn near every gm. pic.twitter.com/oTEAehayDZ

The Broncos clearly have competitive talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The team had several opportunities to score more, but two turnovers and ten penalties were too many obstacles to deal with. Sloppy play can be blamed in substantial part on coaching. Don’t expect coach Vance Joseph and his assistants to have long tenures in Denver.